Saturday, June 20, 2026
10 - 11:30am
Menomonee Valley
Registration encouraged

Event Description
Stroll with our Land Management staff to observe the plants blooming in the peak of summer. Learn about their identifying characteristics and ecological role within the landscape. Ecosystems and their community dynamics change season to season, year after year. This class will discuss the importance of plant diversity, what animal visitors to expect at the blooms, and how the plant community influences the dynamics of the park ecosystem. We will begin at the Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center building and walk on foot paths through the park natural areas. Participants can expect one and a half hours of walking. Trails include paved, gravel and wood chipped trails.

Class topics:

• Pollinator plant interactions

• What natives would be great for a yard

• A focus on plants presently in bloom

For questions about this program, please contact Menomonee Valley Land Manager, Natalie Pierson, at npierson@urbanecologycenter.org.

For help with the registration process, please contact Program Systems Manager, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 626-8518.

Registration is encouraged in case of cancelations.

Confirmation/Cancellation Policy:
If you sign up for a program and your plans change, we kindly request that you let us know at least 10 business days in advance so we have the opportunity to offer a program to others. We will provide refunds as follows: 10 business days or more: full refund, 5-9 business days: 50% refund, 0-4 business days: no refund.

You may receive marketing emails and can opt out at any time.

Saturday, July 18, 2026
10 - 11:30am
Riverside Park
Registration encouraged

Event Description
Stroll with our Land Management staff to observe the plants blooming in the peak of summer. Learn about their identifying characteristics and ecological role within the landscape. Ecosystems and their community dynamics change season to season, year after year. This class will discuss the importance of plant diversity, what animal visitors to expect at the blooms, and how the plant community influences the dynamics of the park ecosystem. We will begin at the Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center building and walk on foot paths through the park natural areas. Participants can expect one and a half hours of walking. Trails include paved, gravel and woodchipped trails.

Class topics:

• Pollinator plant interactions

• What natives would be great for a yard

• A focus on plants presently in bloom

For questions about this program, please contact Riverside Park Land Manager, Jeremy Rappaport, at jrappaport@urbanecologycenter.org.

For help with the registration process, please contact Program Systems Manager, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 626-8518.

Registration is encouraged in case of cancelations.

Confirmation/Cancellation Policy:
If you sign up for a program and your plans change, we kindly request that you let us know at least 10 business days in advance so we have the opportunity to offer a program to others. We will provide refunds as follows: 10 business days or more: full refund, 5-9 business days: 50% refund, 0-4 business days: no refund.

You may receive marketing emails and can opt out at any time.

Saturday, August 15, 2026
10 - 11:30am
Washington Park
Registration encouraged

Event Description
Stroll with our Land Management staff to observe the different blooming phases of restoration. Each year, Washington Park restores an acre of turf grass to a native habitat. We will look at the process and development of restoration starting from the beginning then traveling through the different years. Learn about successional species, plants’ identifying characteristics and ecological role within the landscape. Ecosystems and their community dynamics change season to season, year after year. This class will discuss the importance of native plants and faunal observations within our restoration sites. We will begin at the Washington Park Urban Ecology Center building and walk on foot paths through the park natural areas. Participants can expect one and a half hours of walking. Paved routes are included for wheelchair accessibility.

Class topics:

• Habitats and restoration: Learn about different phases of restoration 

• Fauna visitors: Understand the mammal, bird, and insect relationships that support and/or rely on native blooms.

• Plant purchasing: Discover where to purchase native plants in your neck of the woods

For questions about this program, please contact Washington Park Land Manager, Sofia Cortez, at scortez@urbanecologycenter.org. 

For help with the registration process, please contact Program Systems Manager, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 626-8518.

Registration is encouraged in case of cancelations.

Confirmation/Cancellation Policy:
If you sign up for a program and your plans change, we kindly request that you let us know at least 10 business days in advance so we have the opportunity to offer a program to others. We will provide refunds as follows: 10 business days or more: full refund, 5-9 business days: 50% refund, 0-4 business days: no refund.

You may receive marketing emails and can opt out at any time.